Source |
Example |
Good for |
But |
Where to find it |
PRACTICE AID |
Consumer bankruptcy law and practice by Henry J. Sommer
|
practical advice on a topic, often including checklists, sample forms & pleadings |
they are generic and must be adapted to your situation and facts |
See Practice Aids in the section below |
NUTSHELL |
Legal Research in a Nutshell |
a quick and simple overview |
no detailed analysis may be a year or two old |
Library Catalog |
TREATISE |
LaFave on Search & Seizure |
comprehensive coverage of a single topic, often updated at least annually |
often more scholarly than practical |
Westlaw - Secondary Sources - Texts & Treatises
Lexis+ - Browse - Sources - Category - Secondary Sources - Treatises
Print
|
JOURNAL ARTICLE |
Reforming Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Reorganizations
Ralph Brubaker, Robert M. Lawless, Charles J. Tabb 2015 U. Ill. L. Rev. 507
|
in-depth coverage of a specific topic |
not updated, tend to be scholarly and idealistic |
See Journals in the section below |
AMERICAN LAW REPORTS (ALR) |
Liability of swimming facility operator for injury or death allegedly caused by failure to adequately fence facility |
detailed analysis of a narrow topic covering numerous jurisdictions |
there may not be one on your topic |
Print, Lexis+, or Westlaw |
ENCYCLOPEDIA |
Bankruptcy -Setoff |
overview of a broad topic, primary sources in footnotes |
uses hidebound terms - start in the INDEX |
Print, Lexis+, or Westlaw |
UNIFORM LAW |
Uniform Electronic Legal Material Act |
acts designed to be adopted in all 50 states - with comments |
The law you need may not have been adopted in your jurisdiction |
Uniform Law Commission |
RESTATEMENT |
Restatement of the Law on Contracts, 2d |
black letter law, plus comments and illustrations |
There may not be one for your topic |
Print, Lexis+, or Westlaw |